Closed catheter tip including electrically conductive pathway

Abstract

A closed-ended catheter assembly that includes an electrically conductive pathway is disclosed. The conductive pathway enables electrical signals, such as ECG signals produced by a patient's heart, to pass through the closed-ended tip of the indwelling catheter while still preventing unintended fluid flow. In one embodiment, therefore, a catheter assembly is disclosed and comprises an elongate catheter tube including a closed distal end. The catheter tube defines at least one lumen and includes a valve defined in the catheter tube that is configured to selectively enable fluids to pass therethrough. The catheter tube includes a conductive element that provides an electrically conductive pathway between the at least one lumen and an exterior portion of the catheter. The conductive element includes a porous material extending between the at least one lumen and the exterior portion of the catheter, the porous material being transmissive to electrical signals and non-permeable to blood.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A catheter assembly for placement in a body of a patient, comprising:
 an elongate catheter tube defining at least one lumen; 
 a valve defined in the catheter tube configured to selectively enable fluids to pass therethrough; and 
 a conductive element that provides an electrically conductive pathway between the at least one lumen and an exterior of the catheter tube, the conductive element including:
 a wick extending through a closed distal end of the catheter tube from the at least one lumen to an external surface of the catheter tube, the wick capable of wicking up conductive fluid disposed in the at least one lumen. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The catheter assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the wick includes a porous thermoplastic. 
     
     
       3. The catheter assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the wick includes an extended portion extending proximally into the at least one lumen. 
     
     
       4. The catheter assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the wick includes a hydrophilic material. 
     
     
       5. The catheter assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the wick is removably disposed in a conduit in the closed distal end of the catheter tube. 
     
     
       6. The catheter assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the wick is formed of a dissolvable material. 
     
     
       7. The catheter assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the wick has a distal end flush with the external surface of the catheter tube.